Death Threats Against Juan David Diaz Chamorro

Sucre, Friday, April 9, 2010
(Translated by Emily Hansen, CSN’s Program Assistant)

At midday on Friday, April 9, Juan David Diaz received a death threat at his residence.  The threat was against himself and his family, including his newborn son, and was signed by the “Los Paisas” paramilitaries who are currently in power in the department with the consent of the public forces and of the regional political power.
 
The written death threat was left at his residence on the seventh anniversary of the assassination of his father, Tito Diaz.
 
Tito Diaz, the mayor of El Roble, was assassinated by the paramilitaries in an operation approved by political sectors and the public force just weeks after President Uribe was presented with evidence that he was going to be assassinated, and was petitioned to protect his life.
 
A few weeks ago, one of the men responsible for the crime, the ex-governor and ex-ambassador, Salvador Arana, who was protected by Uribe Velez, was condemned to forty years in prison for the assassination of Tito Diaz.
 
Today, the family of Tito Diaz that has demanded truth, justice and reparations is the object of a systematic persecution that began in April of 2009 and includes the accusation of Juan David of the crime of agreeing to commit a criminal offense with paramilitary groups.
 
Bogotá, D.C.
April 9, 2010
Interecclesial Commission of Justice and Peace